Today, it’s rare to find a job that keeps you moving. With all of the sedentary jobs out there, it’s no wonder that more and more workers are experiencing the negative health effects that come with little to no exercise throughout the day.
At LaptopMD, we’re more than just a laptop and electronic device repair company; we care about your health and we want to share some tips on how you can stay healthy even with a sedentary job.
Issues Associated With Sedentary Work and How to Combat Them
1. Head and Neck
Numbness in the head and neck is a common side effect of sitting for extended periods. Sitting for a long time can also put stress on the vessels of the brain, a problem that can lead to serious detrimental health effects. Not only this, but sitting causes fluid to accumulate within the legs. During the night, this same fluid can flow into the neck, causing breathing issues.
In order to facilitate healthy blood flow throughout the body, it’s necessary to get up and walk around at least once per hour throughout the day. Simple exercises can help as well. One such exercise is to stand, tilt your chin toward your chest, and roll your head to the right and then to the left, and repeat.
2. Back and Intestines
The small of the back and the spine endure a lot of stress when you’re in a sitting position for a prolonged period of time. In fact, approximately 40 percent of individuals who suffer from back conditions have sustained them due to sitting at a desk. Additional studies have shown that extensive sitting increases a person’s risk of developing breast, uterine, and bowel cancer as well.
Along with getting up and walking around for a few minutes every hour, performing a spinal twist exercise in your chair can be incredibly helpful. To do the exercise, sit in your chair sideways and grip the chair’s top with both of your hands. Pull your body toward the back of the chair and then repeat with the other side.
3. Legs and Hips
Spider and varicose veins are another issue that is quite common among those with sedentary jobs. Swelling of the legs can also occur, which can lead to additional problems as well. Extended sitting can also take its toll on your hips, weakening them and even occasionally leading to permanent pain and atrophy of the muscles.
There are a couple of ways in which you can ensure that you’re taking care of your hips and legs while at work. Along with taking a break and walking once every hour during the work day, you can perform the following exercise. While sitting, put your feet on the floor and roll your feet toward the inside until you feel tightness on the exterior of your feet. Hold the position and then rotate your foot the other way.
In Summation
We hope that these strategies and exercises will help you to maintain a healthy lifestyle while at work.
And don’t forget; if you’re ever in need of some device repair, we at LaptopMD are here to help!